We had a lovely time this weekend with our good friends S, R, S and O camping in Leyburn. We stayed at Craken House Farm, a fantastic camping and caravan site. The location is surrounded by fields filled with cows, horses and sheep and we pitched our tent next to a musical little stream. We saw rabbits running by, heard owls hooting at night and were even visited by a friendly hedgehog.
email: info@crakenhousecaravansite.co.uk
On the Saturday we went to Forbidden Corner and what a great time we had. The website lists the attraction as: a unique labyrinth of tunnels, chambers, follies and surprises created within a four acre garden in the heart of Tupgill Park and the Yorkshire Dales. The temple of the underworld, the eye of the needle, a huge pyramid made of translucent glass, paths and passages that lead nowhere, extraordinary statues – at every turn there are decisions to make and tricks to avoid. This is a day out with a difference which will challenge and delight adults and children of all ages. Enjoy a day out in Yorkshire at The Forbidden Corner.
The brainchild of Mr C.R.Armstrong CMG O.B.E, the Forbidden Corner was originally built as a private folly but due to public demand was subsequently opened to the public. A great family day out. - See more at: http://www.theforbiddencorner.co.uk/#sthash.R8XVD43g.dpuf
Last night was Cleckheaton Writers Group where D, N, P, D and I were in attendance.
We discussed the upcoming Literature Festivals at Manchester, Ilkley, Morley, Wakefield and Brighouse and the pieces that we have been working on - I am particularly eager to read N's fan fiction writing challenge.
We agreed that writers will make members of the Group aware if the subject of their pieces may be upsetting to read and then they may make the decision themselves whether or not to read it.
D, P and I gave feedback on Ds first chapter of Fallen Leaves and we all agreed that it should begin with action rather than character reflection. It was felt that the novel appeared to concentrate on one particular aspect of the characters' past and that this set up the reader to expect a certain type of novel, which was not the genre that D was intending. D found the feedback constructive and will keep the advice in mind when working on this three-part novel.
D informed the group that she has started work on another children's fantasy whilst she waits to hear back from the agent about her first novel. The plot details sound very exciting and the research she will be doing very interesting, and I am looking forward to her sharing some when she feels it is ready.
I shared the short story I had written for the 'Girls' Stylist Magazine competition with the group and following their feedback, I have entered it into the competition today - fingers crossed.
The next meeting will take place on Monday 16 September at 6-8pm in Cleckheaton Library.
Today I went to see The Great Gatsby and what a wonderful, beautiful movie it is. It seems that almost every frame would work as individual pieces of artwork it is so packed with colour and glamour.
Tobey Maguire (Spiderman 1, 2 and 3, Pleasantville) plays Nick Carraway, the mid Western war veteran drawn to the past and lifestyle of his millionaire neighbour. For me, Maguire did seem to be playing an old-fashioned version of his Spiderman persona, but the film did not diminish for me because of this. The inimitable Leonardo DiCaprio (Titanic, Inception) plays Gatsby and the scenes he shares with his love Daisy (played by the excellent Carey Mulligan - Never Let Me Go, Pride and Prejudice) are so tender, you really feel the anguish of a man loving above his station in life. Joel Edgerton (The Warrior, King Arthur) plays Daisy's husband and Isla Fisher (Now You See Me, Confessions of a Shopaholic) has a complex role as Myrtle his mistress, but the real triumph of the film for me is in the lush sets and stirring music.
Tagline: That's the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool. 7.5/10
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